Leadership:

Together we bring a diverse skill set from varied backgrounds including Economics, Education, and Nutrition to ensure Access.

AARON FRIEDLAND | FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Aaron developed his passion for economic development and education while working and researching abroad. He recognized that students in places such as Uganda, South Africa, and India who struggled academically would often fall into the poverty trap. His personal experiences opened his eyes to myriad barriers to education including distance to school and lack of nutrition. These experiences in conjunction with his work at UN Watch, a Geneva-based non-profit taught him a great deal about education in developing countries and gave him the foundation to create an organization called The Walking School Bus, which aims to help students worldwide access education. In addition to founding the organization, he serves as the Executive Director.

Aaron currently works as an Economics Lecturer. He brings enthusiasm and a research-based approach to his teaching. He is passionate about motivating his students through experiential learning, a model that he has applied in the classroom as well as at TWSB through a global reading program and various nutrition initiatives.

ENOSH KEKI | DIRECTOR OF UGANDA OPERATIONS

Enosh Keki has been working with TWSB since it's inception. In fact, Enosh and TWSB's founder Aaron have been wroking together on Education and Economic Development related projects for the last 5 years. Over time, the projects have grown in size and impact and Enosh has enjoyed the journey!

With a background in business management and experience in education, from an administrative as well as an educational viewpoint, Enosh joins TWSB with a great deal of experience.

Enosh and his team monitor TWSBprojects and identify additional communities to receive assistance and support. Aside from his work with TWSB, Enosh and his wife Shira have adopted 7 orphans in addition to their own 5 children.

ALEX GILLIS | CURRICULUM COORDINATOR

(CANADA & FRANCE)

Alex Gillis is a 19-year-old, Loran Scholar at the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business. Holding the title of Startup Canada’s 2015 "Young Entrepreneur of the Year”, Alex is heavily involved in the Canadian startup ecosystem and has advised Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the future of entrepreneurship and education for youth in Canada. Alex is involved in numerous entrepreneurial initiatives on campus at the University of British Columbia and works with a passionate community of volunteers, local initiatives, and corporate partners who are shaping the future of Canada, today. Alex believes that The Walking School Bus's holistic community-centric approach is the best way to develop communities world-wide.

RAN SOMMER | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

After completing his Master's in Communication, Ran joined TWSB to lead the team as the Director of Communication. Over the last year, Ran has excelled in this role in ways we never expected. His unique ability to work with the strengths of our organization to propel its operations forward, and his attention to detail has enabled TWSB to flourish and has made him a core member of our team.

Ran has already helped TWSB flourish in its operations and communication, and we are lucky to bring him on board as the Director of Operations. Under Ran's leadership, TWSB will realize its 5-year vision as it relates to: our UNHCR collaboration, building capacity from a project and financial standpoint, working with our partner communities in Uganda and India, and scaling our impact!

STEPHANIE MRAKOVICH | SIMBI OPERATIONS

Stephanie has a passion for people and a knack for problem solving. You'll find her deeply questioning every step, whether it is to create a more efficient process or to strategize ways to improve it. While completing her Bachelor of Science and Minor in Psychology at UBC, she sat as the two term president of the Jewish Students Association, restructuring the board members and inspiring a synergy of skills and backgrounds. Today, Stephanie leverages her understanding of people in a product role where she works with customers to create a positive experience and improve the softwares they use.

As the Director of SiMBi Operations, Stephanie helps improve the functionality and flexibility of the platform. With the goal of eliminating barriers to accessing education, she works with various users to understand how SiMBi can benefit different types of learners from all around the world!

HANS ZHANG | SOLAR PROJECT COORDINATOR

As a professional member of the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, Hans is passionate about using his background in Power Systems and Energy to create impactful change through The Walking School Bus. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Electrical Engineering at the University of British Columbia as well working as an engineer at BC Hydro. By tapping into resources from both his professional and academic backgrounds, Hans hopes to continue advancing TWSB’s mission by means of technologic innovation.

In collaboration with the UN Refugee Agency and CRADLE, TWSB’s solar-powered classrooms will soon be deployed in two refugee camps in Uganda and will play an integral part in improving the quality of medical care in these camps. Hans will be spearheading the design and procurement of the solar-technologies that will be deployed in the classrooms.

ANDY CHEN | VIDEOGRAPHER

As a film scholar from St. George’s School, Andyjoined TWSB and implemented his skills in the production of many videos for TWSB. With a desire to help students in Uganda attain an education and live a better life, Andy went on the March 2017 Uganda expedition as a Videographer. Aside from informing people of TWSB’s mission, he loves spending time with kids and showing them his photos, gadgets, and gizmos.

SUKRITI SACHAR | DIRECTOR OF INDIA OPERATIONS

Sukriti is a founder, entrepreneur, and is passionate about social impact. After working in corporate events for 7 years, Sukriti founded Powerlabs, a content design studio.

Her journey with The Walking School Bus (TWSB) began in 2016 which started with a Ugandan Expedition and resulted in Sukriti founding the India Chapter of TWSB. Working with communities content with the limited resources available to them and appreciative of TWSB's impact moved Sukriti. She became more interested in adapting the model that worked in the Ugandan context to fit similar issues pervasive across India.

As director of India Operations, Sukriti works to further her remarkable team of believers and achievers to bring the life and vision of The Walking School Bus to India.

RUCHI SHAH | STORYTELLER AND ART DIRECTOR

Ruchi Shah is an award-winning illustrator and muralist from India, who has published titles in 10 languages. Over a decade, she has been a travelling artist and illustrator, working with tribal schools in different parts of India spanning from Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. She facilitates art workshops for children, encouraging them to create indigenous literature. In 2016, she was invited by TEDx to speak about her work and the power of art to create social impact.

As a Storyteller and Art Director for TWSB, Ruchi works with children from inter-faith schools and communities, enabling them to take their stories to global publishers. She is passionate about taking the vision of TWSB ahead through art and crafted story-telling.

MIDO DESANTI | EXECUTIVE ADVISOR

Mido is a social entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder of the social change app, Pixhug. He is also the principal of the early stage technology investment fund Rubiq Ventures. Prior to his current roles he launched several companies in the luxury goods and services sector. He has studied at the American University of Rome and the International University of Monaco. Mido has spoken on the importance of social entrepreneurship at McGill University and Columbia Business School alongside Deepak Chopra. He sits on the board of Julian Lennon's White Feather Foundation and is fluent in English, French, Italian and Croatian.